GPS signal of plane carrying EU Commission President suddenly vanished while on approach to Plovdiv Airport, Bulgaria

During a recent visit to Bulgaria, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced a GPS navigation loss on her Dassault Falcon 900LX, which Bulgarian authorities are attributing to Russian jamming efforts. The interference occurred as the aircraft was preparing to land at Plovdiv Airport, prompting air traffic controllers to switch to ground-based navigation to facilitate a safe landing. Von der Leyen's spokesperson confirmed the incident and highlighted the prevalence of such GPS disruptions in Eastern Europe, particularly near Russian and Belarusian borders.

This event underscores a troubling trend in the region where GPS jamming has been used as a tool for intimidation and disruption, especially concerning high-profile political visits. As an expert in transportation, I see the implications of this incident extending beyond immediate security concerns. It highlights the need for enhanced resilience in aviation navigation systems, particularly in areas prone to electronic warfare tactics. Investment in alternative navigation technologies, alongside improved coordination among international air traffic authorities, will be critical to ensuring aircraft can maintain safe operations despite such malicious interferences.